Zone control system



Nov. 7, 1939. J. P. KRIEQHBAUM ZONE CONTROL SYSTEM Filed May 9, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l @Y HAS ATTORNEY NW. 7, 193 .1. P. KREECHBAUM ZONE CONTROL SYSTEM Filed May 9, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M- MC Q\ \N .w/ u) NE Patented Nov. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES ZONE CONTROL SYSTEM John P. Kriechbaum signor to Minneapol Company, Minneapoli of Delaware Minneapolis, Minn., as-

is-Honeywell Regulator s, Minn., a. corporation Application May 9, 1935, Serial No. 20,526 22 Claims. (Cl. 236-91) This invention relates to zone control systems in general and more particularly to conditioning systems for a building having a plurality of zones by which the building is conditioned.

In conditioning systems of this type it often occurs that all of the zone valves controlling the supply of conditioning fluid to the various zones will open at substantially the same time thereby causing heavy drains on the conditioning fluid generator.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a means for preventing the opening of certain zone valves when other zone valves are being opened to efiectively prevent drains on the conditioning fluid generator.

' It is an object of this invention to provide in a conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones, a plurality of valves for each zone controlling the supply of conditioning fluid to the zones, a controlling means associated with each zone for controlling the operation of the valves of that zone and means for preventing the opening of the valves of any zone when the valves of any other zone are opening.

Likewise, it is an object of this invention to provide a plurality of sets of motors, a plurality of motors in each set, and means for preventing the operation of one set of motors while another set of motors is operating.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying specification, claims and drawings, in which drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a heating system havgig my invention applied thereto; and I Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the elements disclosed in Fig. 1, showing how the system of my invention operates.

My invention is shown in Fig. 1 as applied to a building ID that is U-shaped in plan view and which is divided into three zones for purposes of conditioning the same. Each zone is supplied with a plurality of risers leading to radiators in the zone by which conditioning fluid, which may take the form of steam, may be delivered to the radiators for conditioning thatzone of the building. The risers are designated at H, l2 and I3 for the left hand zone; I4, I5 and I6 for the central zone; and I1, I8 and IQ for the right hand zone. Each riser ll, l2, l3, I4, l5, l6, l1, l8 and I9 is provided with a valve 20, 2|, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 21 and 28, respectively, and each valve-is controlled by a motor 29, 30, 3|, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36

and 31, respectively. The risers receive a supply of heating fluid, such as steam, from a header 38 which is connected to a source of heating fluid such as boiler 40 by a pipe 39. The boiler 40 is fired in any suitable manner but is here shown to be fired by an oil burner 4| Although any type of contr for controlling the temperature within each zone,

I have shown for purposes of illustration, outdoor controllers 42, 43 and 44 of the type disclosed in application Serial Number 512,887 filed by Daniel G. Taylor on February 2, 1931. These controllers are suitably mounted on the exterior of the building to respond to changes in atmospheric conditions including temperature, wind, wind direction and solar radiation. The controller 42 controls the temperature within the left hand zone, thecontroller 43 within the central zone, and the controller 44 within the right hand zone. The controller 42 operates through a relay 45 to control the motors 29, 30 and 3| for controlling the supply of heating fluid to the left hand zone. Likewise, the controller 43 controls through the relay 46 to operate the valve motors 32, 33 and 34 and the controller 44 operates through a relay 4! to operate the valve motors 35, 36 and 31. Mounted on the boiler in any suitable manner, is a high limit controller 48 and a low limit controller 49 which assist in controlling the oil burner 4| which fires the boiler 40. As seen in Fig. 1 the outdoor controllers, the relays, the valve motors, the limit controllers and the oil burners are all suitably connected by means of electrical conduits.

The manner in which these various elements are electrically connected together is seen upon reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings. The controller 42 comprises a metallic block 50 enclosed within a weather-tight casing and affected by outside atmospheric conditions such as temperature, wind and solar radiation. Located within .10 the metallic block 50 and responding to the temperature of the same is a bimetallic element 5|. The block 50 is heated by means of a heater 52 and is cooled by the outdoor atmospheric conditions. The bimetallic element 5| carries con- 45 tacts 53 and 54, which are adapted to sequentially engage adjustable contacts 55 and 56. The bimetallic element 5| is electrically connected to a binding post 51 and the adjustable contacts 55 and 56 are electrically connected to binding posts 50 58 and 59, respectively. The heater 52 is connected to binding posts 60 and 6|. Inasmuch as the outdoor controllers 43 and 44 are identical to the outdoor controller 42, the structure thereof has not been shown, it being considered suf- 455 5 oller may be used ficient to show only the exterior electrical connections thereof.

Located in the relay 45 is a relay coil 52 which controls the operation of switch arms 83, 84 and 55. Upon energization of the relay coil 52, the switch arms 53, 54 and 55 will move into engagement with contacts 55, 51 and 58, respectively, and upon deenergization of the relay coil 52 the switch arms will move out of engagement with these contacts and the switch arm 55 will be moved into engagement with a contact 59 by means of springs, gravity or other means not shown. Line wires leading from some source of power (not shown) are designated at 18 and 1|. Wires 12 and 13 connect the line wires 18 and H with binding posts 14 and 15 on the relay 45. The binding post wires 15 and 11 to one end of primary 18 of a step-down transformer 19 having a secondary 88. The other end of'the primary 18 is connected by means of wires 98 and 9| to the other binding post 14. A wire 8| connects one end of the secondary 88 with the binding post 82. A binding post' 83 is connected by means of wires 84 and 85 to one end of the relay coil 52. The other end of the relay coil 52 is connected by means of a wire 85 to the other end of the secondary 88. The contact 58 is connected by a wire 88 with a binding post 81. The switch arm 53 is connected by a wire 89 to the junction of wires 84 and 85. A wire 92 connects the binding posts 88 and 59, a wire 93 connects the binding posts 82 and 58, and a wire 94 connects the binding posts 81 and 51. A binding post 95 is electrically connected to the switch arm 54, a binding post 95 is connected to the contact 58, a binding post 91 is connected to the switch arm 55, a binding post 98 is connected to the contact 58 and a binding post 99 is connected by a wire I88 to the junction of wires 98 and 9|. The binding post 95 is connected by a wire IM to a variable resistance I82 which is in turn connected to an ammeter I83. A wire I84 connects the ammeter I83 with the binding post 5|, and the binding post 58 is connected by a wire I85 with the binding post 89.

The transformer 19 is at all times energized by the line wires 18 and 1|. When the temperature of the block 58 drops below a predetermined value due to the cooling action of the outside atmosphere, contact 53 engages contact 55. Upon a further drop in block temperature, contact 54 engages contact 58 to complete a circuit from the secondary 88 through wire 8|, post 82, wire 93, post 58, contacts 55, 53, 54 and 55, post 59, wire 92, post 83, wires 84 and 85, relay coil 52 and wire 85 back to the secondary 88. This causes energization of the relay coil 52 to move the switch arms 53, 54 and 55 into engagement with the contacts 55, 51 and 58. Movement of the switch arm 53 into engagement with contact 85 completes a second or holding circuit from the secondary 88 through wire 8|, post 82, wire 93, post 58, contacts 55 and 53, bimetallic element 5|, post 51, wire 94, post 81, wire 88, contact 88, switch arm 53, wires 89 and85, relay coil 82 and wire 85 back to the secondary 88. This circuit maintains the relay coil 52 energized until the 1 contact between the contacts 53 and 55 is broken.

When the switch arm 54 moves into engagement with contact 51, a circuit is completed from the line wire 1| through wire 13, post 15, wires 15 and 81, contact 51, switch arm 54, post 95, wire I8I, variable resistance I82, ammeter I83, wire I84, post 5|, heater 52, post 58, wire I85, post 99, wires I88 and 9|, post 14 and wire 12 back to 15 is connected by means of the line wire 18. Completion of this circuit causes heating of the heater 52 and consequent heating of the block 58. When the block 58 has been heated in this manner so that the temperature thereto has risen to a given value, contact between the contacts 53 and 55 is broken to deenergize the relay coil 52, to move the switch arms 53, 54 and 55 to the right. When the switch arm 54 moves out of engagement with the contact 51 the further supply of heat to the heater 52 of the outdoor controller 42 is prevented. The variable resistance I82 and the ammeter I83 provide a means eating the amount of heat delivered to the outdoor controller 42.

Since the relays 45 and 41 are identical with the relay 45 and since the operation thereof is identical to the relay 45, only the exterior wiring connections have been shown and have been designated by like reference characters.

The motor 29 for operating the valve 28 is provided with binding posts I85 and I81 which are connected across wires H8 and III by means of wires I88 and I89. The wires H8 and III are in turn connected across the line wires 18 and 1|. Connected across the posts I85 and I81 is a primary N2 of a step-down transformer 3 having a secondary H4. The valve 28 is operated by a valve stem II5 which is connected to a pitman II5 journalled on a crank pin H1. The crank pin H1 is carried by a gear II8 which is driven through a reduction gear train I I9 by a rotor I28 upon energization of a field I2I. The gear II8 also operates cams I22, I23, I24 and I25 which in turn operate contact arms I28, I21, I28 and I29, respectively. When the high dwells oi the cam I22 engage the contact arm I25, the contact arm I25 is moved into engagement with contact I381 When the high dwell of the cam I23 engages the contact arm I21 the contact arm I21 is moved into engagement with the contact I3I and when the low dwell of the cam I23 becomes operative, the contact arm I21 engages the contact I32. The contact arm I28 is normally in engagement with the contact I33 but when the high dwell of the cam I24 engages .the contact arm I28, it is moved out of engagement with the contact I33. When the high dwell of the cam I25 engages the contact arm I29 the contact arm is moved into engagement with a contact I34, and when the low dwell of the cam I25 becomes operative, the contact arm I29 moves into engagement with a contact I35.

The valve motor 29 is provided with binding posts I38, I31 and I38. The binding post I38 is connected by a wire I48 to one end of the secondary H4. The other end of the secondary H4 is connected by a wire I4I to one end oi. the field I2 I The other end of the fleld I2I is connected by a wire I42 to the contact arm I21, the contact I3I is connected by a wire I43 to the post I31 and the contact I32 is connected by a wire I44 to the post I38. The contact arm I28 is connected by a wire I45 to the field 'I2I and the contact I38 is connected by a wire I39 to the wire I48 between the secondary H4 and the binding post I35. The contact arm I28 is connected by a wire I48 to a binding post I48 and the contact I33 is connected by a wire I41 to a binding post I49. The contact arm I29 is connected by a wire I58 to a binding post |5I and the contact I34 and I are electrically connected to binding posts I52 and I53 respectively.

With the parts of the valve motor 29 in the for adjusting and visually indiposition shown the valve 28 is in a closed poli- 13 tion. Upon energizatio'n of the relay 45 which moves the switch arm 65 into engagement with contact 68 to electrically connect the posts I36 and 31, a circuit is completed from the secondary 4 through wire I 40, post I36, exterior circuit, post I31, wire I43, contact I3I, contact arm I21, wire I42, field |2| and wire |4I back to the secondary M4 to energize the field I2I and move the valve 20 to the open position. When the valve 20 has been started in its movement towards an open position, contact arm I26 engages contact I30 to complete a circuit from the secondary II4 through wires I40 and I39, contact I30, contact arm I26, wire I45, field |2I and wire |4| back to the secondary 4 to energize the field |2| to completely move the valve 20 to its open position. When the valve 20 is fully opened, the contact arm I26 disengages the contact I 30 to break the above maintaining circuit and the contact arm I21 is moved into engagement with the contact I32 to position the parts of the valve motor for the closing movement of the Valve 20.

It will be noted at this point that as the valve 20 was being moved from the closed position to the open position, the high dwell of the cam I24 moved the contact arm I28 out of engagement with the contact I33. It will also be noted that when the valve 20 is in either extreme position or when the valve 20 is being moved from its open position to its closed position the contact arm I28 is in engagement with the contact I33. Further, when the valve 20 is moved to its open position in the above manner the contact arm I29 is moved into engagement with the contact I34 by the high dwell of the cam I25.

When the switch arm 65 of the relay 45 engages the contact 69 upon deenergization of the relay coil 62, the posts I36 and I38 of the valve motor 29 are electrically connected together to complete a circuit from the secondary I I4 through wire I 40,

posts I36 and I38, wire I44, contact I32, contact arm I21, wire I42, field |2I and wire I4I back to the secondary II4 to start the valve 20 on its movement towards its closed position. When the valve 20 has started its closing movement the contact arm I26 engages the contact I30 to complete a circuit from the secondary I I4 through wires I40 and I39, contact I30, contact arm I26, wire I45, field I2I and wire |4| back to the secondary M4 to complete the closing movement of the valve 20. When the valve 20 has been completely closed the contact arm I26 is moved out of engagement with the contact I30 and the contact arm I21 is moved into engagement with the contact |3| to position the valve motor parts for opening movement of the valve 20. It will be noted at this point that when the valve 20 is moved to its closed position the contact arm I 29 is moved into engagement with the contact I35.

The valve motors 32 and 35 are identical with the valve motor 29 and therefore only the external wiring connections have been shown. The valve motor 30 for operating the valve 2| is identical with the valve motor 29 with the exception that the cam I24, the contact arm I28, the contact I33 and the binding posts I48 and I49 have been eliminated. The valve motors 33 and 36 are identical with the valve motor 30 and only the external wiring connections are shown. The valve motor 3| for operating the valve 22 is identical with the valve motor 29 except that the contact arm I29 operated by the cam I25 coacts with only one contact I34 instead of two contacts I34 and I35 as in the valve motor 29. To set forth this distinction, the contact arm I29 is connected to a binding post -|55. The valve motors 34 and 31 for operating the valves 25 and 28 are identical with the valve motor 3| and therefore only the external wiring connections have been shown.

Power is supplied to the valve motors 32, 33 and 34 by means of wires I51 and I58, connected across the line wires 10 and 1| through wires I 08 and I09 leading to the binding posts I06 and I01 of the valve motors 32, 33 and 34. In a like manner power is supplied to the valve motors 35, 36 and 31 by wires I59 and I60, connected across the line wires 10 and 1|. The wires I08 and I09 connect the binding posts I06 and I 01 of the valve motors 35, 36 and 31 with the wires I59 and I60, respectively.

The binding posts 91 and 98 of are connected to the binding posts I36 and I38 of the valve motor 29 by wires I62 and I63 respectively. The binding posts I5I, I52 and I53 of the valve motor 29 are connected to the binding posts I36, I31 and I38 of the valve motor 30 by means of wires I64, I65 and I66, respectively. Likewise the binding posts I5I, I52 and I53 of the valve motor 30 are connected to the binding posts I36, I31 and I38 of the valve motor 3| by means of wires I61, I68 and I69 respectively. The relay 46 and the valve motors 32, 33 and 34 and the relay 41 and the valve motors 35, 36 and the relay 45 31 are connected together in the same manner I and III and the binding post 96 of the relay 41 z" is connected by means of wires I12 and junction of wires I10 and HI. A wire I14 connects the junction of wires I12 and I 13 with the binding post I48 of the valve motor 31. The binding post I 49 of the valve to the binding post I49 of the valve motor 35 by a wire I 15. The binding post I48 of the valve motor 35 is connected by a wire I16 to the binding post I48 of the valve motor 34. The binding post I49 of the valve motor 34 is connected to the binding post I49 of the valve motor 32 by a wire I11. The binding post I 48 of the valve motor 32 is connected to the binding post I48 of the valve motor 3| by a wire I18. The binding post I49 of the valve motor 3| is connected by a wire binding post I43 of the valve motor 29. The binding post I49 of the valve motor 29 is connected by wires I and |8| to the binding post I31 of the valve motor 29. From the above wiring connec- I'I3 to the tions it is seen that the binding posts 96 of the relays 45, 46 and 41 are connected in parallel and that the binding posts I31 of the valve motors 29, 32 and 35 are also connected in parallel.

When the outdoor controller 42 calls for heat to energize the relay coil 62 to move the switch arm 65 into engagement with the contact 68 of the relay 45, a circuit is completed in the manner to be described hereafter to cause, opening movement of the valve 20. When the valve 20 has been opened the cam I25 of the valve motor 29 causes the contact arm I29 to engage the contact I34 to operate the valve motor 30 to move the valve 2| to its open position. When the valve 2| is opened the cam I25 of the valve motor 30 moves the contact arm I29 into engagement with the conthe outdoor controller 43 calls for heat, the valve motor 31 is connected na to the d then the valve 24 and then the valve 25 are opened. Similarly, when the outdoor controller 44 calls for heat, the valve 26 is first opened, then the valve 21 and then the valve 28.

When the outdoor controller 42 is satisfied, the relay coil 62 of the relay 45 is deenergized to move the switch arm 65 into engagement with the contact 89. This causes closing movement of the valve 28. When the valve 28 is closed the cam I25 of the valve motor 29 moves the contact arm I29 into engagement with contact I35 to operate the valve motor 30 to close the valve 2i. When the valve 2i is closed the cam I25 of the valve motor 36 moves the contact arm I29 into engagement with the contact I35 to operate the valve motor 3I to close the valve 22. Thus, when the outdoor controller 42 is satisfied the valve 29 is first closed, then the valve '2! and then the valve 22. Likewise, when the outdoor controller 43 is satisfied the valve 23 is first closed, then the valve 24 and then the valve .25. Similarly, when the outdoor controller 44 is satisfied the valve 26 is first closed, then the valve 21 and then the valve 23. L

In orderto prevent a drain on the boiler 46, which would be caused by the three controllers 42, 43 and 44 calling for heat at substantially the same time, which would open all nine valves at substantially the same time, means are provided whereby if one zone is being operated to open the valves or its zone the other zones cannot be placed in operation until the valves of the first zone are completely opened. This is' accomplished by the switch arms I28, the contacts I33 and the cams I24 located in the valve motors 29, SI, 32, 34, 35 and 31. As pointed out above, the contact arm I28 engages the contact I33 when the associated valve is in an open position or in a closed position or being moved from an open position to a closed position. Contact between the contact arm I28 and the contact I33 is broken when the associated valve is being moved from a closed position to an open position. The connection between the binding posts 96 of the relays 45, 46 and 41, and the binding post I31 of the valve motors 29 and 32 pass serially through all of the switches comprised of the contact arm I28 and contact I33. Specifically, when the switch arm 65 of the relay 45 is moved into engagement With the contact 68, upon a call for heat by the outdoor controller 42, a circuit is completed from the binding post I36 of the valve motor 29 through wire- I62, binding post 91 of the relay 45, switch arm 65, contact 68, binding post 96 and wires I18, I12 and I14, binding posts I48 and I49 of the valve motor 31, wire I15, binding posts I49 and I48 of the valve motor 35, wire I16, binding posts I48 and I49 of the valve motor 34, wire I11, binding posts I49 and I48 of the valve motor 32, wire I18, binding posts I48 and I49 of the valve motor 31, wire I19, binding posts I48 and I49 of the valve motor 29 and wires I and I8I to the binding post I31 of the valve motor I29 to cause operation of the valve motor I29 to move the valve 20 to an open position. It is, therefore, seen that if any of the valve motors 32, 34, 35 and 31 are at that time being moved from a closed position to an open position it is impossible to complete the above described circuit to open the valve 20. valves 23, 24 and 25 of the second zone or if the valves 26, 21 and 28 of the third zone are being opened it is impossible to. open the valves 20, 2I and 22 of the first zone. Similarly, the connections between the binding post 96 of the re- Therefore, if the lays 16 and 41 and the binding posts I131 of the valve motors 32 and 35 are identical with the connections between the binding post 96 of the relay 45 and the binding post I31 or the valve motor 29. By reason of this similar relation 5 it is impossible to open the valves 23, 24 and 25 while the valves 28, 2i and 22 or the valves 26, 21 and 28 are being opened. Also, it is impossible to open the valves 26, 21 and 28 while the valves 20, 2I and 22 or the valves 23, 24 and 25 are being opened. Inasmuch as it takes some time to open all the valves of one zone and since it is impossible to open the valves of another zone while the first zone valves are being opened, sudden drains on the boiler and consequent surges therein are substantially eliminated.

If it be desirable to control the operation of the boiler 46 in accordance with the opening of any of the zone steam valves, the cams I25, the contact arms I29 and the contacts I34 located in the valve motors 3I, 34 and 31 are provided. A wire I connects the wire I51 with the binding post I54 of the valve motor 3I. Wires I86 and I81 likewise connect the wire I51 to the binding post I54 of the valve motor 34. Also the wires I86, I88 and I89 connect the wire I51 with the binding post I54 of the valve motor 31. The binding post I55 of the valve motor 31 is connected by wires I98, I9I, I92, I93 and I94 to the binding posts I55 of the valve motors 34 and 31. The low limit control 49 responsive to the condition of the boiler 49 operates a mercury switch I91, the electrodes of which are connected by wires I95 and I96 to wires I93 and I88, respectively. When the condition of the boiler 48 drops below a predetermined value the low limit controller 49 tilts the mercury switch I91 to cause the mercury therein to bridge the electrodes. When the condition of the boiler is normal the mercury switch I91 is tilted to a circuit open position. The high limit controller 48 which responds to the condition of the boiler operates a mercury switch I99 so that when the condition in the boiler becomes abnormally high the mercury is moved out of engagement with the electrodes. One of the electrodes of the mercury switch I99 is connected by a wire I98 to the wire I9I. The other electrode is connected by a wire 280 to the oil burner 4|. The oil burner in turn is connected by a wire 2III to the wire I58. From the above wiring connections it is seen that the binding posts I54 and I55 of the valve motors 3I, 34 and 31 and the electrodes of the mercury switch I91 of the low limit controller 49 are connected in parallel so that when any of the valves 22, 25 and 28 are moved to an open position or when the condition of the boiler becomes abnormally low, the oil burner M is placed in operation. It is also seen that the mercury switch I99 of the high limit controller 48 is located in series with the oil burner 4| so that if the condition within the boiler 48 becomes abnormally high the oil burner is prevented from operating.

By reason of these connections a predetermined condition is maintained within the boiler 40 by the low limit controller 49 so that when any of the riser valves are open, steam will be supplied immediately to the radiators within the building. Also due to the riser valves opening, a demand is placed on the boiler and in order to meet this demand the oil burner H is placed in operation to form steam in the boiler 40.

Although I have disclosed one specific em- 7 bodiment of this invention for purposes of illustration, it is apparent that other modifications may be employed and, therefore, I intend that my invention shall be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a system of the class described, a plurality of sets of motors, a plurality of motors in each set, a controller for each set of motors, the controller placing one motor in operation and that motor placing the other motors of the set in operation, and means for preventing the operation of any set of motors when any of the other sets of motors are operating.

2. In a system of the class described, a plurality of sets of motors, a plurality of motors in each set, a controller for each set of motors,

the controller placing one motor in operation ill) (ill

and that motor placing the other motors of the set in operation, and means controlled by the motors for preventing the operation of any set of motors when any of the other sets of motors are operating.

3. In a system of the class described, a plurality of motors, means for individually controlling the operation of said motors, means for preventing operation of some of said motors in .case others of said motors are operating, an-

, other motor, and means actuated by any one of said plurality of motors for starting said other motor.

4. In a system of the class described, a plurality of sets of motors, a plurality of motors in each set, means for controlling the operation of each set of motors, means for preventing the operation of one set of motors in case another set of motors is operating, another motor, and means for placing the other motor in operation when any of the sets of motors are operated.

5. In a system of the class described, a plurality of sets of motors, a plurality of motors in each set, a controller for each set of motors, the controller placing one motor in operation and that motor placing the other motors of the set in operation, means for preventing the operation of any set of motors when any of the other sets of motors are operating, another motor, and means for placing the other motor in operation upon operation of the motors in any set of motors.

6. In a conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones, a plurality of valves for each zone controlling the supply of conditioning fluid to the zone, means associated with each zone for controlling the operation of the valves of that zone, and means for preventing the opening of the valves of one zone when the valves of any other zone are opening.

7. In a conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones, a plurality of valves for each zone controlling the supply of conditioning fluid to the zone, means associated with each zone for controlling the operation of the valves of that zone, and means controlled by the valves for preventing the opening of the valves in any zone when the valves of any other zone are opening.

8. In a conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones, a plurality of valves for each zone controlling the supply of conditioning fluid to the zone, means associated with each zone for controlling the operation of the valves of that zone, the means controlling the operation of one of the valves and that valve controlling the other va ves o t e one, and

means for preventing the opening of the valves in any zone when the valves of any other zone are opening.

9. In a conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones, a plurality of valves for each zone controlling the supply of conditioning fluid to the zones, means associated with each zone for controlling the operation of the valves of that zone, the means controlling the operation of one of the valves and that valve controlling the other valves of the zone, and means controlled by the valves for preventing the opening of the valves in any zone when the valves of any other zone are opening.

10. In a conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones, a plurality of valves for controlling the supply of conditioning fluid to the zones, means for preventing opening of some of the valves when other of the valves are opening, a conditioning fluid generator, and means controlled by the valves for operating said generator.

11. In a conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones, a plurality of valves for each zone controlling the supply of conditioning fluid to the zone, means associated with each zone for controlling the operation of the valves of that zone, means for preventing the opening of the valves of one zone when the valves of any other zone are opening, a conditioning fluid generator, and means for placing the generator in operation when the valves of any zone are opened.

12. In a conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones, a plurality of valves for each zone controlling the supply of conditioning fluid to the zone, means associated with each zone for controlling the operation of the valves of that zone, the means controlling the operation of one of the valves and that valve controlling the other valves of the zone, means for preventing the opening of the valves in any zone when the valves of any other zone are opening, a conditioning fluid generator, and means for placing the generator in operation upon opening of the valves in any zone.

13. In a conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones, a plurality of valves for each zone for controlling the supply of conditioning fluid to the zone, an outdoor controller associated with each zone for controlling the operation of the valves of that zone, and means for preventing the opening of the valves of any zone when the valves of any other zone are openmg.

14. In a heating system for a building having a plurality of zones, a plurality of valves for each zone for controlling the supply of heating fluid to the zone, an outdoor controller associated with each zone having heatingmeans and temperature responsive means, the temperature responsive means controlling the controller heating means at the valves of that zone to maintain a normal temperature in each zone, and means for preventing the opening of the valves of any zone when the valves of any other zone are opening.

15. In a conditioning system for a building hav ing a plurality of zones, a plurality of valves for each zone for controlling the supply of conditioning fluid to the zone, an outdoor controller associated with each zone for controlling the operation of the valves of that zone, means for preventing the opening of the valves of any zone when the valves of any other zone are opening, and means for generating heating fluid when the valves of any zone are opened.

lid

16. in a heating system for a bulding having a plurality of zones, a plurality of valves for each zone for controlling the supply of heating fluid to the zones, an outdoor controller associated with each zone having heating means and temperature responsive means, the temperature responsive means controlling the controller heating means and the valves of that zone to maintain a normal temperature in each zone, means for preventing the opening of the valves of any zone when the valves or" any other zone are opening, and means for generating heating fluid when the valves of any zone are opened.

17. In a conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones, a flow controller for controlling the flow of conditioning medium to each zone, a condition responsive device for each zone, each condition responsive device being arranged to control the flow control device of its associated zone in accordance with the demand for conditioning, and interconnecting means for preventing any one flow controller from substantially varying the supply of conditioning medium to its respective zone when any other flow controller is already substantially varying the supply of conditioning medium to its zone.

18. In a system of the class described, a plurality of sets of flow controllers, a plurality of flow controllers in each set, a plurality of sets of motors for actuating said flow controllers, a controller for each set of flow controllers, said controllers controlling the motors of their respective sets of flow controllers in a manner to place the respective motors into and out of operation, and interlocking means connected with said sets of motors for preventing operation of one set of motors in case another set of motors is operating.

19. In a conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones, a control system for each zone, each control system including a flow controller for controlling the flow or" conditioning medium to its zone and a condition responsive device for controlling the flow controller in a manner to maintain a predetermined value of the condition within the zone, interconnecting means between said control systems for preventing actuation of said flow controllers, said inteL= connecting means including means actuated upon airspeeinitiation of movement oi one flow controller for preventing substantial movement of the other flow controllers until the expiration of a predetermined time period following the initiation of movement of said one flow controller.

20. A system comprising in combination, a pinrality of members for controlling the condition of a space, means for increasing and decreasing the conditioning medium supply to said members, a motor for individually operating each of said means, condition responsive means for controlling each of said motors, interlocking means associated with said motors, and operable, while one of said motors is operating to increase the supply or conditioning medium to one of said members, to prevent any of the other of said motors from operating to increase the supply of conditioning medium to its respective member, regardless of demand by its condition responsive means.

21. In a conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones, valve means for each zone for controlling the supply of conditioning fluid to their respective zones, control means associated with each zone for individually opening the valve means of their respective zones on demand for conditioning fluid in that zone whereby desired conditions are maintained in each zone, and means for preventing opening of the valve means of any zone when the valve means of any of the other zones are opening regardless of whether the control means of that zone demands opening of the valve means of that zone.

22. In a' conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones, valve means for each zone for controlling the supply of conditioning fluid to their respective zones, control means as sociated with each zone, each including means responsive to outside temperature conditions adjacent that zone, for opening the valve means of their respective zones on demand for conditioning fluid whereby desired conditions are maintained in each zone, and means for preventing opening of the valve means of any zone when the valve means of any of the other zones are opening regardless of whether the control means of that zone demands opening of the valve means or that zone.

JOHN P. KPJIECHBAUM. 

